Rioting fans leave 12 police injured in Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Germany - Rioting before and after VfB Stuttgart's goalless Bundesliga draw with Hertha Berlin led to 12 officers being injured, Stuttgart police confirmed on Saturday.

With both sides engaged in the relegation battle and hosts Stuttgart bottom of the table, rival fans took their frustrations out on police having shared a point at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Friday where 500 officers were on duty.

Three officers were hurt in an area near the stadium when fans threw firecrackers and bottles while a police horse was also injured after being hit by a thrown bin.

A police car containing two officers was attacked by an 80-strong gang, which only dispersed after warning shots were fired, throwing stones and using metal bars.

Both officers involved received head wounds and police also report damage was done to 12 cars parked near the stadium amounting to an estimated 7000 euros (US$7,590) while 5000 euros of damage was done to a police car.

Police have opened an investigation into breach of the peace and had expected trouble from Hertha fans, which included elements from Stuttgart's local rivals Karlsruhe.

But a 150-strong group of Stuttgart fans attempted to clash with a similar size group of Hertha supporters before police intervened using pepper spray and batons which led to the casualties.